Ultrasound Hair Dyeing Method

ABSTRACT

A method of coloring hair utilizing ultrasound waves to generate and apply to hair a spray containing a hair dye is disclosed. Depending on the components of the dye, the effect of the ultrasound upon the components of the dye may reduce the oxidants and/or alkaline agents required to achieve the desired coloring of hair. Utilizing the ultrasound waves the dye is applied to hair and deposited within the spaces of hair&#39;s cuticle. Cavitations induced within the dye within the spaces of the cuticle then force the dye into the hair&#39;s cortex.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The method relates a method of coloring hair utilizing ultrasound waves to generate and apply to hair a spray containing a hair dye.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hair, at least the portion generally seen, is composed of dead cells forming the outer cuticle and inner cortex. The dead cells forming the cuticle are flat in structure, covering and protecting the cortex much like singles covering a roof. The dead cells forming the cortex are densely packed with keratin bundles and contain the pigment giving hair its color. The cells of the cuticle are devoid of pigment. Coloring hair, accordingly, requires replacing, lessening, supplementing and/or masking the pigment within the cortex with a new pigment to provide the desired color. This requires absorption of the new pigment by the hair to be colored.

Providing a somewhat permanent coloring to hair that can survive repeated washing requires a chemical reaction often involving an oxidant to catalyze an oxidation reaction of components of the utilized dye and alkaline agent to provide the appropriate basic conditions. The alkaline agent may also raise the cells of the cuticle or otherwise open spaces within the cuticle to provide absorption of the dye's components into the hair. In the typical reaction, a primary intermediate of the dye is oxidized by the oxidant to form a diimine or similar compound. The diimine then reacts with a coupler of the dye to form a diimine-coupler complex. The coupler of the complex is then oxidized to give the dye its final pigment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The oxidants or alkaline agents generally utilized to achieve a consistent and somewhat permanent application of hair dye are often damaging to the hair. They can also be unpleasant to work with due to, among other things, their tendency to irritate the skin. Despite their propensity to damage hair and irritate the skin, they are used to achieve a hair coloring possessing the desired consistency and uniformity. A method of coloring hair utilizing ultrasound waves to generate and apply to hair a spray containing a hair dye is disclosed. Depending on the components of the dye, the effect of the ultrasound upon the components of the dye may reduce the oxidants and/or alkaline agents required to achieve the desired coloring of hair.

In one embodiment, delivering a dye to a surface of an ultrasound horn emitting ultrasound waves generates a spray. Utilizing the ultrasound waves the dye is applied to hair and deposited within the spaces of hair's cuticle. Ultrasound induced cavitations within the dye in the spaces of the cuticle then forces the dye into the hair's cortex. It is possible the ultrasound energy inducing cavitations within the applied dye is carried by the same waves that apply the dye to the hair. Accordingly, in one possible embodiment an ultrasound horn may be utilized to create a dye spray, apply the spray, and force the dye into the hair.

The ultrasound horn employed may be any structure capable of transmitting ultrasonic vibrations received from a transducer and having a surface emitting ultrasound waves when vibrated. The emitted ultrasound waves may be longitudinal waves, radial waves, bending waves and/or any combination thereof. Preferably, the horn is composed in whole or part of a metal such as, but not limited to, steel, aluminum, titanium and/or alloys thereof. It is also preferable that the horn, or a larger structure of which the horn is a part, be capable of vibrating in resonance with the ultrasound vibrations received from the transducer.

A vibrating ultrasound horn may be utilized to generate a spray of dye by delivering the dye to a surface of the horn emitting longitudinal waves. When vibrated, the wave emitting surface of the horn expands and contracts. Delivering a dye to the wave emitting surface of the horn causes the surface of the horn to strike the dye during expansion of the surface. Striking the dye, the surface of the horn emits, or induces, vibrations within the dye thereby increasing the kinetic energy of the dye. The increased kinetic energy of the dye causes it be atomized into a spray.

Various means may be utilized to deliver the dye to the wave emitting surface of the ultrasound horn. For example, the dye could be delivered to the surface through a channel extending at least partially through the horn and opening within the wave emitting surface. In combination or the alternative, the dye could be dripped onto and/or in close proximity to the wave emitting surface of the horn. It is also possible that the dye could be delivered to the wave emitting surface of the horn by being deposited upon a side of the horn and carried forward to the surface by the vibrations of the horn and/or the vacuum created by atomization of the dye at the surface. Other means of delivering the dye to the wave emitting surface readily recognizable to those skilled in the art may also be employed.

In addition to atomizing the dye delivered to the wave emitting surface of the horn, the emitted ultrasound waves may also be utilized to deposit the dye into spaces within the cuticles of the hair. When the horn is vibrated the wave emitting surface of the horn expands and contracts. When expanding it strikes the air and/or atomized dye about the wave emitting surface inducing an ultrasonic wave within those medium. The motion of the resulting wave causes the medium to travel away from the wave emitting surface, towards the hair to be colored. Upon reaching the hair, the small droplets of the atomized dye fill the spaces within the cuticles of the hair. If sufficiently small, the droplets of atomized dye may fill the spaces within the cuticle be landing directly within the space. It is also possible that the applied dye may fill the spaces within the cuticle by being drawn into the cuticle. A small droplet size may increase the ability of the atomized dye to be drawn into the cuticle. In combination or the alternation, the charge and/or electron distribution of the dye may increase the ability of the dye to be drawn into the cuticle.

Imparting a charge or otherwise changing the number and/or distribution of the electrons of the dye or its components may occur as a result of the dye being exposed to the near field of the emitted ultrasound during atomization of the dye of at the wave emitting surface of the horn. The resulting change in the electrons of the components of the dye may generate radicals, oxidize, reduce and/or create ions of all or some of the dye's components. Accordingly, the near field may lessen or reduce the need for oxidants to achieve the desired coloring of hair. It may thus be beneficial to place the hair within the near field of the ultrasound waves while applying the spray containing the coloring agent to the hair.

The wave emitting surface of the ultrasound horn may be configured to include a lens focusing the emitted longitudinal waves. As with light, it is possible to focus acoustics waves. Devices permitting a focusing of acoustic waves are generally referred to as lens. A lens within the wave emitting surface of the horn permits the concentration of ultrasound energy carried by ultrasound waves emitted about at least one point at a distant from the wave emitting surface. The lens releases low frequency ultrasonic vibrations by expanding and contracting when induced to vibrate. When the lens expands it strikes the air and/or atomized dye about the lens inducing an ultrasonic wave within those medium. As this wave travels away from the lens it carries ultrasonic energy into the medium. Due to the configuration of the lens the ultrasonic energy emitted will be concentrated about points positioned at the intersection of lines radiating from the surface of the lens.

For example, if the wave emitting surface of the ultrasound horn contained a concave parabolic configuration the lens provide by the parabolic concave would focus the ultrasonic waves, and consequently the energy they carry, towards a point represented by the focus of the parabola. It is also possible to focus the waves and concentrate the carried energy about a line or ring positioned at a distant from the wave emitting surface of the horn. For instance, if the emitting surface of the horn contained an inner convex portion within concave portion the waves and carried energy would be focused about a ring positioned at distance from the from the wave emitting surface defined by the intersection of the trajectory of the emitted waves. Other possible lens configurations and focusing patterns are possible and may be employed when practicing the invention.

Exposing the hair to focused ultrasound waves may increase absorption of the components of the dye deposited within space of the hair's cuticle. Ultrasound energy carried by the emitted waves to the dye deposited within the cuticle will generate cavitations within the cuticle and/or increase the permeability of the cuticle. Typically, alkaline agents, such as, but not limited ammonia, are utilized to increase the permeability of the hair. Accordingly, the emitted ultrasound waves reaching the hair may lessen or reduce the need for alkaline agents to achieve the desired coloring of hair. Exposing the hair to concentrated ultrasound energy increases the amount of cavitations generated and/or permeability of hair. The hair may be exposed to focus ultrasound waves simply by placing the hair in or near the region about which the ultrasound waves are focused by the lens.

The dye applied to the hair may contain a coloring agent capable of changing the observed color of the hair. The coloring agent may change the observed color by providing a pigment to hair that penetrates the cuticle or otherwise is absorbed by the hair. In combination or the alternative, the coloring agent may change the observed color of the hair be lessening, reducing and/or otherwise removing the hair's observed pigment. The coloring agent of the dye may include an aniline derivative and/or other coupler that may be oxidized to provide a final pigment. In combination or the alternative, the coloring agent may provide a final a pigment without undergoing oxidation and/or other chemical modification. The dye applied may further contain a base capable of reacting with the coloring agent to create a dye directly or through a subsequent chemical reaction such as oxidation of the coloring agent. In combination or the alternative, the base may be capable of oxidizing to form a diimine. The base and coloring agent components of the dye may be applied to the hair simultaneously or sequentially. Additionally, the dye may contain an alkaline agent such as, but not limited to, ammonia, ethanolamine and/or sodium carbonate. The alkaline agent of the dye may, but need not, be applied to the hair simultaneously with the coloring agent and/or base. The alkaline agent may also be applied to the hair prior to and/or after the application of the base and/or coloring agent. The dye may also contain an oxidant such as, but not limited to, hydrogen peroxide. The oxidant of the dye may, but need not, be applied to the hair simultaneously with the coloring agent and/or base. The oxidant may also be applied to the hair prior to and/or after the application of the base and/or coloring agent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be shown and described with reference to the drawings of preferred embodiments and clearly understood in its details. Like elements of the various embodiments depicted within the figures are equivalently numbered.

FIG. 1 depicts one possible embodiment of the present invention in which the base and coloring agent components of a dye are simultaneously applied to the hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The flow chart in FIG. 1 depicts one possible embodiment, process 100, of the present invention. As indicated by Boxes 101 and 102, the embodiment begins by first wetting and rinsing hair, which may assist in removing elements from the hair that may adversely react with the dye and/or interfere with its application. The method continues, Box 103, by applying an alkaline agent and oxidant to the hair. Application of the alkaline and oxidant at this stage in the depicted embodiment bleaches the hair. The applied oxidant and/or alkaline agent may also stabilize ions, radicals, oxidized derivatives and/or reduced derivatives of the subsequently applied base and/or coloring agent generated by exposure to the near field of the longitudinal waves emitted from the utilized ultrasound horn. Accordingly, in alternatives embodiments the oxidant and/or alkaline agent may be applied subsequent to and/or simultaneously with the application of the base and/or coloring agent.

Process 100 continues, Boxes 104 and 105, with generating a spray containing a base and a coloring agent by delivering the base and coloring agent to a surface of an ultrasound horn emitting longitudinal waves having a frequency of approximate 15 kHz to 40 MHz. During generation of the spray the base and coloring agent to be applied to the hair are exposed to the near field of the ultrasound waves changing the number of electrons of the coloring agent and/or base as to generate a free radical, Boxes 106 and 107. Generating radicals of the base and/or coloring may catalyze or otherwise induce reaction of the two with one other and/or oxidation. This may be preferred when the coloring agent is a coupler of the base that is oxidized to give the final pigment. As to increase the amount of radicals of the base and/or coloring agent generated within the near field reaching the hair before decaying, the hair is placed within the near field, Box 108. The base and coloring agent are then deposited within the cuticle of the strand of hair by utilizing the longitudinal waves emitted from the utilized horn to apply the spray containing the base and coloring agent to the hair, Boxes 109 and 110.

After the base and coloring agent have been applied to the hair, process 100 continues by placing the hair within the far field of the ultrasound waves and exposing the hair to focused ultrasound waves, Box 111. Exposing the hair to focused ultrasound waves may increase the permeability of the hair by further opening spaces within the cuticle. Once deposited within the spaces of the cuticle the base and coloring are forced into the cortex of the strand of hair by generating cavitations within the applied base and coloring agent, Boxes 112 and 113. Exposing the hair to focused ultrasound waves may increase the amount of cavitations generated within the base and/or coloring agent. Process 100 may then conclude with a second rinsing of the hair, Box 114, to remove any applied alkaline agent, oxidant and/or components of the dye not absorbed by the hair.

Within process 100 the base and coloring agent are applied to the hair simultaneously. Likewise, cavitations are simultaneously generated in the applied base and coloring agent. In alternative embodiments the coloring agent and base may be applied sequentially with application of the base preceding the coloring agent or application of the coloring agent preceding the base. If applied sequentially, the hair may be placed within the near field of the ultrasound waves emitted from the horn during the application of the first component and/or during the application of the second component of the dye. Similarly, cavitations may be generated in the first applied component of the dye prior to and/or after the application of the second component to the hair. In further alternative embodiments, the dye may not include a base component.

Though specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, combination, and/or sequence that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown and/or described. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments and/or sequences will be apparent to individuals possessing skill in the art upon review of the present disclosure.

The mechanisms of operation presented herein are strictly theoretical and are not meant in any way to limit the scope of this disclosure and/or the accompanying claims.

It should also be appreciated that elements described with singular articles such as “a”, “an”, and/or “the” and/or otherwise described singularly may be used in plurality. Likewise, it should be appreciated that elements described in plurality may be used singularly.

The scope of the claimed apparatus and methods should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 

I claim:
 1. A method of dyeing hair comprising: a. generating a spray containing a coloring agent by delivering the coloring agent to a surface of an ultrasound horn emitting ultrasound waves; b. depositing the coloring agent in spaces within the cuticle of the strand of hair by utilizing the ultrasound waves to apply the spray containing the coloring agent to the hair; and c. forcing the coloring agent within the spaces within the cuticle into the cortex of the strand of hair by generating cavitations within the applied coloring agent.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein, the surface of the horn emitting ultrasound waves emits longitudinal waves.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, placing the hair within the far field of the ultrasound waves.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, exposing the applied coloring agent to the near field of the ultrasound waves.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein, exposing the applied coloring agent to the near field changes the number of electrons of the coloring agent.
 6. The method of claim 4 wherein, exposing the applied coloring agent to the near field generates radicals of the coloring agent.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, placing the hair within the near field of the ultrasound waves while applying the spray containing the coloring agent to the hair.
 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising, exposing the hair to focused ultrasound waves.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein, the cavitations within the applied coloring agent are generated by exposing the applied coloring agent to focused ultrasound waves.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein, the longitudinal waves have a frequency between approximately 15 kHz and 40 MHz.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a spray containing a base by delivering the base to a surface of an ultrasound horn emitting ultrasound waves and depositing the base in spaces within the cuticle of a strand of hair by utilizing the ultrasound waves to apply the spray containing the base to the hair.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising, forcing the base within the spaces within the cuticle into the cortex of the strand of hair by generating cavitations within the applied base and coloring agent.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein, the coloring agent is a coupler.
 14. The method of claim 11 further comprising, exposing the applied base to the near field of the ultrasound waves.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein, exposing the applied base to the near field changes the number of electrons of the base.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein, exposing the applied base to the near field generates radicals of the radicals.
 17. The method of claim 11 further comprising, placing the hair within the near field of the ultrasound waves while applying the spray containing the base to the hair.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein, the cavitations within the applied base are generated by exposing the applied base to focused ultrasound waves.
 19. The method of claim 1 further comprising, applying an alkaline agent to the strand of hair.
 20. The method of claim 1 further comprising, applying an oxidant to the strand of hair. 